Iris germanica Dernier Cri

Iris germanica 'Dernier Cri' is a recent variety of Bearded Iris with an eminently romantic charm. Its large and stylish bicoloured flowers present a tasteful pastel harmony. The light tones of the petals, in shades of light beige, gracefully associate with the lavender tones of the sepals, with an occasional touch of orange brought by the beards. Of intermediate size, flowering late in the season, this beautiful Iris charms the beds for 3 weeks at the end of spring.

The 'Dernier Cri' Iris is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant, which adopts a habit of vigorous upright clumps. It belongs to the Iridaceae family, like the Crocus, Gladiolus or Crocosmia. The species Iris germanica, or German Iris, is probably the result of hybridization between different botanical species. Belonging to the Bearded Iris group (due to the fine ridge present on the sepals), they are the most cultivated in gardens. These plants prefer neutral to limestone soils, are sun-loving, and their rhizomes need to capture the heat of the sun in summer to flower well. A minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day is traditionally required.

'Denier Cri' is an intermediate-sized variety, reaching a height of 70 cm (28in) when in bloom. The floral stems will bear 3 to 5 or 6 flower buds in May, which will open at the end of the month and in June, depending on the region and weather conditions. The large flowers (12 cm (5in) in diameter and larger) display the customary airy grace of bearded Irises, which in some aspects are reminiscent of orchids. At maturity, the 3 sepals of a beautiful width spread almost horizontally, exhibiting their superb lavender colour. Their undulated edges give them a pleasant lightness and volume to the eye. Upright and even more ruffled, the smaller petals grow close to each other, thus concealing the style (female reproductive part). Their light colour, between beige and off-white, harmonises happily with the lavender of the sepals they overtop. At their junction, an orange lighting in which the sun likes to play is created by the presence of the beards that adorn the base of the sepals in their middle part. The clumps of slightly glaucous, sword-shaped leaves grow greener on the outside each year.

Obtained by Cayeux, 2018.

Irises are very easy to associate with other plants, perennials or bushes in flowerbeds. It is only necessary to keep in mind that the clumps will need dividing every 3 or 4 years, so they need to be given sufficient space without competition. To create decorative floral beds throughout the growing season, plant some early varieties of Iris pumila in front of 'Dernier Cri', a smaller cousin whose range comes in many colours of white, yellow, red and blue. In the foreground, you can also place Geranium cinereum Ballerina, a pretty low-growing perennial with pink flowers veined with purple from May to July. And for results all summer long, rely on salvias like Salvia nemerosa Bumbleberry, with its intense fuchsia pink flower spikes.